NAACP Requests Independent Investigation into Shooting Death of Joshua Brown

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is requesting an independent investigation of the shooting death of Joshua Brown. Mr. Brown was a key witness in the trial of Amber Guyger, the former Dallas Police Department officer who walked into Botham Jean’s home and shot him to death. The murder of Botham Jean has raised troubling concerns from the beginning of the investigation, and now, the deeply alarming and highly suspicious murder of Joshua Brown increases the urgency of an immediate, independent investigation of every aspect of these two tragic killings.

Mr. Brown was killed just two days after a Dallas County jury sentenced Guyger to 10 years in prison. His testimony was critical to Officer Guyger’s conviction, including by establishing that Officer Guyger did not shout verbal commands or warnings before shooting Botham Jean.

“The circumstances surrounding the murder of Mr. Brown cries out for answers. Most importantly, it demands an independent investigation of how and why he was killed,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, LDF’s President and Director-Counsel. “We urge state or federal authorities to follow the trail of misconduct left by this case and fully investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Brown’s death. It is critical to public confidence in the administration of justice that witnesses who speak out against police violence are fully protected. The suspicious circumstances of Mr. Brown’s killing should cause great alarm and demand an immediate and piercing inquiry. We echo Allison Jean’s statement that the ‘corruption we saw during this process must stop,’ and support her request for a comprehensive federal investigation of the Dallas Police Department.”

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Founded in 1940, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization and has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund or LDF.

Tyler Perry dedicates a soundstage at his Atlanta studio to Diahann Carroll

Filmmaker Tyler Perry delighted a star-studded crowd of A-list celebrities and politicians Saturday when he dedicated a new soundstage at his sprawling Atlanta studio to actress Diahann Carroll during a gala ceremony at the complex.

Perry paid tribute to the groundbreaking African American actress, one day after the announcement of her death. Carroll, who made TV history as the first black actress to star in a prime time series as a career woman rather than a domestic worker in “Julia,” died at age 84 following a long bout with cancer, said her daughter Suzanne Kay.

Perry had already planned to honor Carroll with the soundstage, one of several dedicated to pioneering African American entertainers during the weekend celebration.

But while the dedication of stages to Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith and Sidney Poitier were cheered by the largely VIP crowd, the tribute to Carroll was a clear highlight.

“We are honored to have shared this planet with Diahann Carroll,” Perry said on a stage in front of the chocolate-brown structure. As the cover was removed, unveiling the name of the stage, the gathering cheered robustly as fireworks marked the moment.

Said Perry, “Let her hear you up in heaven” as clips from “Julia,” “Dynasty,” the film “Claudine,” where she played a welfare mother, and other moments from her career played on a screen.

[SOURCE: LA TIMES]

Missing Black Girl Alert: Za-ahira Jimenez of Newark NJ is missing!

Police seek the public's help in locating missing 16-year old girl.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Za-ahira Jimenez, 16, of Newark, who was reported missing from the 100 block of Dewey Street on Saturday, September 28, 2019.

Za-ahira is described as Hispanic/Black, 5’10” tall and 115 lbs. She has a light brown complexion, blonde hair, brown eyes and a birthmark on the back of her neck. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black pants and a pair of Vans.

While police are actively searching for Za-ahira, we seek the public’s help in quickly locating her so she can be returned to her family.

Director Ambrose urges anyone with information about the whereabouts of Za-ahira Jimenez to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.

Anonymous tips may also be made using the Police Division’s website at: www.newarkpd.org or through the Newark Police Division Smartphone App available at iTunes and Google Play.

Missing Black Woman alert: Lashana Washington Is Missing!

Green Bay (Wisconsin) Police are searching for a missing woman last seen Wednesday. An alert issued Friday lists her as an endangered missing person.

Police say Lashana Washington was last wearing a black Jordan hooded sweatshirt, with a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and red white and blue Nike shoes.

Her last known location was at the University Avenue bus depot at noon on Wednesday, where she tried to buy a bus ticket. It's believed that Washington has family in the Pulaski and Ledgeview area. She was last seen on the near east side of Green Bay.

Police say Washington has only been in the Green Bay area for about 3 days, having arrived here to visit family from Mississippi. She is 28 years old.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts are encouraged to call Ofc Miles Ganz at 920-448-3208.

Missing Black Woman Alert: Sade Hurst is missing!

Sade Hurst, 28, was last seen Friday at noon after leaving her home in the 10000 block of Whitehill Street in Detroit. She has not been seen or heard from since then.

She is described as a black woman and was wearing a blue hat, pink jacket and black jeans when she disappeared. Police say Hurst has autism.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Detroit Police Department's 9th Precinct or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.